63 NY Police Officers Who Made the Ultimate Sacrifice

Officers' Names Added to New York State's Police Officers' Memorial

Governor Andrew Cuomo today honored 63 police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to communities across New York State. The officers from eight local and state law enforcement agencies were recognized at the annual Police Officers' Memorial Remembrance Ceremony in Albany this afternoon. With the addition of the names of the 54 men and nine women — the most ever honored in one year — the memorial now includes the names of 1,567 police officers.

"Today we honor 63 brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the people of New York State," Governor Cuomo said. "Their names will be forever etched in this memorial to not only honor their legacy, but to remind us all that New York's law enforcement officers put their own lives on the line every day to keep us safe. We cannot possibly thank them enough for that service."

"The names on the Police Officers' Memorial wall stand testament to the brave and selfless commitment these officers made to keep our communities and residents safe," said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, who spoke at the ceremony. "We will never forget the legacy of these men and women who died honorably serving our state, or the peril countless other law enforcement officers face every day they wear their badge. Our hearts go out to the officers' loved ones - we owe a great debt of gratitude to their families."

The ceremony recognized three officers who died in the line of duty in 2018, an officer who died in 1904 not previously recognized, and 59 officers who died from illnesses resulting from their work at Ground Zero in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack at the World Trade Center in New York City. The names of officers who died of Ground Zero-related illnesses were first added to the memorial in 2008 and now total 227. Sixty men and women who served with the NYPD and Port Authority Police Department died the day of the attack.

Governor Cuomo also directed that the Gov. Alfred E. Smith State Office Building in Albany be illuminated in blue this evening in memory of the fallen officers. The state Division of Criminal Justice Services, located at the Smith building, coordinates the annual ceremony, which is attended by local, state and federal law enforcement professionals; elected officials; and family members of the deceased officers, in addition to other friends and colleagues of the fallen.

Click here to review the list of officers recognized at today's ceremony.

Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo